By Zephyria 
“That man will be inaugurated as the Head of the Narye Bureau next month.”
Jae-gyeom’s eyes widened.
“……Huh?”
It was the most surprising thing he had heard recently, something he hadn’t even considered.
“Head of the Narye Bureau? Really?”
“Yeah, it seems the selection committee decided unanimously.”
“Wow…….”
Jae-gyeom blinked, lost in thought.
He felt that would be better than the Narye Bureau being abolished altogether. The thought followed that a Narye Bureau led by Seok Ju-ryeon would be fine. Of course, he didn’t know Seok Ju-ryeon very well—having only dealt with him for a few short months—but unlike Su-hyang, he knew how to value people. When he first met him, he thought he was a cold person, but contrary to that first impression of being like cold steel, he possessed a human fragility.
Jae-gyeom liked that about him.
Perhaps that was why. For a moment, he felt a surge of happiness at the news that he was becoming the Head of the Narye Bureau.
Jae-gyeom grabbed Yoon Tae-hee’s shoulder, who was held in his arms, and asked back.
“Are you okay with it?”
At that, Yoon Tae-hee tilted his head.
“With what?”
“Seok Ju-ryeon becoming the Head of the Narye Bureau. Are you really okay with that?”
“I actually think it’s a relief. It’s a matter that doesn’t really concern me anyway.”
As he spoke, Yoon Tae-hee looked indifferent, as if it truly didn’t matter.
“We decided to meet tomorrow to talk about the details.”
At those words, Jae-gyeom nodded and sank deep into thought.
“I see…….”
Seok Ju-ryeon becoming the Head of the Narye Bureau, huh…….
“Why?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Jae-gyeom shook his head and patted Yoon Tae-hee on the back.
“Have a safe trip.”
Sunday, 12:00 PM.
“Welcome.”
An employee greeted Seok Ju-ryeon as he entered the restaurant with a polite bow. The restaurant Seok Ju-ryeon visited was a high-end traditional Korean restaurant located on the outskirts of Seoul, a place impressive for its tranquil landscaping and traditional interior.
“I will show you the way.”
Seok Ju-ryeon followed the employee’s guidance. Since the restaurant consisted of private rooms, it was a good place to converse without eavesdroppers. Inside the assigned room, a long floor-seating table was placed. Seok Ju-ryeon took his seat and waited for Yoon Tae-hee to arrive while drinking warm tea. He had reserved the restaurant for noon, but as expected, the brat was late again today.
12:13 PM. The sliding door opened with a rattle, and Yoon Tae-hee appeared.
Seok Ju-ryeon looked up and stared at Yoon Tae-hee before him. Wearing a blue ball cap, a black oversized T-shirt with an English logo printed on it, and wide-leg jeans, Yoon Tae-hee looked just like an ordinary college student.
As he took off his shoes and entered the room, Yoon Tae-hee acknowledged him.
“You arrived first?”
Despite being late, his attitude was brazen. Seok Ju-ryeon brought the teacup to his lips and spoke in a flat tone.
“What do you do that makes you so late every time? Why don’t you start leaving earlier?”
“There were a lot of cars on the road, so it took a while to get here. I guess everyone is going out since it’s a holiday.”
Yoon Tae-hee, taking a seat opposite Seok Ju-ryeon, added slyly. He then poured tea into the cup in front of him on his own, took a sip in a relaxed posture, and glanced around the room.
“But the Head of Department is paying for the meal today, right? This looks like an expensive restaurant.”
“Since you’re late, you should pay.”
“Huh? Usually, the person who suggests eating first is the one who pays.”
Instead of adding more nagging, Seok Ju-ryeon let out a very faint smile.
“Have you been doing well?”
“Yes, I’ve been well.”
It had been nearly ten months since Yoon Tae-hee and Seok Ju-ryeon had last met.
However, the two conversed nonchalantly, as if they had met just yesterday. They weren’t the type to share affectionate sentiments, but they were the kind of relationship where there was no awkwardness even after being apart for a long time. In moments like this, he would suddenly feel the weight of the years they had spent together.
While the two lightly exchanged greetings, a table full of food was served. Perhaps considering Yoon Tae-hee’s severe pickiness, the meal consisted mostly of dishes that Yoon Tae-hee would enjoy.
Yoon Tae-hee offered the food to Seok Ju-ryeon first.
“Please eat a lot. I think you’ve lost some weight.”
“Do I?”
Seok Ju-ryeon’s face was slightly gaunt, as if proving the overwork caused by his heavy duties. Even without an official title, he had handled most of the Chief of Exorcism Department’s duties while simultaneously being called everywhere as a member of the emergency response committee to normalize the Narye Bureau. As a result, the Narye Bureau had regained much of its former state.
Thus, the earnest conversation began along with the meal.
“Congratulations on becoming the Head. See, I told you so.”
“What congratulations? There was simply no other way.”
As he said, Seok Ju-ryeon seemed somewhat troubled.
Seok Ju-ryeon’s ascent to the position of Head was by order from the higher-ups. Of course, it would have been impossible without the consent of the internal committee of the main office, and Seok Ju-ryeon was ultimately selected among three candidates. However, if the higher-ups hadn’t wanted Seok Ju-ryeon, he would have refused to even be a candidate in the first place.
The Narye Bureau of a new era. Seok Ju-ryeon was its symbol.
“Anyway, what brings you to Seoul all of a sudden? You acted as if you’d never come back.”
“There was a problem with the house I was living in, so I came up for a bit. I’m going back down this evening.”
“A problem? What kind?”
“The house collapsed.”
The house collapsed? Seok Ju-ryeon paused mid-chopstick and asked.
“……How did that happen?”
Yoon Tae-hee briefly explained Jae-gyeom’s current state and what had happened yesterday.
Seok Ju-ryeon was already aware that Yoon Tae-hee lived with Jae-gyeom and that Jae-gyeom was a genius who had lived for a long time entangled with the previous Narye Bureau. This was because Yoon Tae-hee had told him.
When these facts were revealed, Seok Ju-ryeon had seemed very surprised and found it hard to believe, but then, as if the puzzle pieces finally fit and the situation became clear, he had nodded with a serious expression.
Although he didn’t explain every detail, Seok Ju-ryeon knew that Jae-gyeom was injured during the process of guiding Su-hyang to the afterlife and was recovering in the house where he originally lived. Seok Ju-ryeon guessed that the reason Yoon Tae-hee decided to follow him to that house and work as a librarian again was because of Jae-gyeom.
However, he did not know the reason why Yoon Tae-hee had settled all his affairs and remained by Jae-gyeom’s side.
“Is that fellow doing well?”
“Yes, he’s gotten much better.”
At some point, Seok Ju-ryeon asked in a low voice.
“By any chance… is it because of guilt?”
At the sudden question, Yoon Tae-hee looked at Seok Ju-ryeon, pausing his chopsticks.
“What is?”
“The reason you’re staying with him.”
At those words, Yoon Tae-hee let out a small, involuntary chuckle.
“It’s not something like that.”
“Then why are you living with him?”
Yoon Tae-hee rested his chin on his hand and replied nonchalantly.
“I wonder…. Because I love him?”
At that, Seok Ju-ryeon froze, his teacup halfway to his lips.
“……What?”
After a brief pause, Seok Ju-ryeon suppressed a sigh. What a crazy brat. He thought that even the jokes he made were just like him—he really hadn’t changed.
“Are you in your right mind?”
Yoon Tae-hee added while poking through the side dishes.
“I’m serious. If it weren’t for that, do I look like the kind of person who would live with someone?”
Whether he was instantly convinced or not, Seok Ju-ryeon’s eyes shook violently.
“I liked him, so I chased after him.”
“…….”
“And now, we’ve been dating for a while.”
“…….”
Seok Ju-ryeon remained frozen with his teacup in hand, his mouth agape. Seeing Seok Ju-ryeon’s expression, Yoon Tae-hee couldn’t help but lower his head and burst into laughter. It seemed he was seeing Seok Ju-ryeon make such a face for the first time in his life.
Only now could Seok Ju-ryeon finally understand everything.
The reason Yoon Tae-hee had been so obsessed with the boy. The reason he had protected him so much and let him into his side.
“So that’s why you left Seoul…….”
Having barely regained his composure, Seok Ju-ryeon muttered to himself.
“Then what do you plan to do after you quit being a librarian?”
“I’ll have to think about that slowly. Well, being unemployed suits my aptitude too.”
Leaning back in the floor chair in a slanted posture, Yoon Tae-hee continued while using his chopsticks.
“If it were up to me, I’d quit right now and come back to Seoul, but someone told me I absolutely cannot quit until I finish the term. So I have no choice but to go down and live separately until then. Even if I have to find a room.”
Then, Seok Ju-ryeon set down the teacup in his hand and spoke calmly.
“Then, after you quit as a librarian, will you continue to stay in Seoul?”
“Probably so.”
“Then don’t go back down tomorrow and stay in Seoul.”
It was then that Yoon Tae-hee paused and looked at Seok Ju-ryeon.
“I’ll look for personnel to fill your librarian position.”
At the unexpected words, Yoon Tae-hee’s eyes widened.
“Why? You said it was impossible before…….”
He couldn’t understand Seok Ju-ryeon’s intention—why his words had suddenly changed after he had firmly insisted that the term of employment must be completed. As Yoon Tae-hee stared at Seok Ju-ryeon in bewilderment.
Seok Ju-ryeon slowly lowered his hand beneath the table, looked into Yoon Tae-hee’s eyes, and spoke.
“I’m planning to establish the Department of Grievance Resolution.”